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Friday, July 14

Author Signings - The Net Result

Last week, I blogged about the Writers
on the River Author Signing I was headed to, with a numbers break-down. So I’m
swinging back with recap on the event.

The big news is that, hands-down,
this was a fabulous event! Every single author I talked to or overheard said
the same thing. It was well-run, the readers were enthusiastic, everyone sold
more books than they expected, and the event raised $7,500 for Thistle Farms (a charitable organization
that benefits victims of violence, prostitution, and abuse) and $500 for the
local Center for Prevention of Abuse (not counting the truckloads of donated
items like toothpaste and towels)!

Hold up and reread that last
part: The event raised $8000 in funds donated to help women in need. AND the
authors in attendance were thrilled with their own personal results. I sold 9
books at the event, which may not seem like a lot, but that’s more than twice
what I’ve ever sold before!

So, nine books at a profit of $4
per book… I don’t think any of us need to count on our fingers to realize I didn’t
recoup my expenses. But, as I said last week, it’s not about sales, it’s about
making connections. Here are a few of my happy stories:

I sold one book as a preorder for
the event. So, going into the event, I was already selling books!

Another
author was making the rounds buying books before the event because she knew she’d
be too busy at her own table once the event started. So, before the first
reader walked through the door, I was three books into my total! AND another
author wanted MY books!!!

I sold my mother’s house while I
was busy selling my books. No joke, I had listed my mother’s house for sale on
the Wednesday before the event. Woke up Saturday morning of the event with a
full-price offer on the house. Spent the day juggling Author Event and realtor
emails, but WOW! That news made my day.

One reader approached my table
and said “I’m under strict orders from my sister to find you and buy your book.
She judged it in a contest and absolutely loved it!” My articulate response:
*jaw drop*. So, Laura I-didn’t-get-a-last-name, if you’re out there and reading
this blog, you made my day and I’m sending you hugs!!

I have to confess that part of me
was a little down on the whole author thing going into the weekend. I was
feeling poor, wondering why I do this, and questioning how I can possibly hope
to compete with all the other more-famous and better authors out there. Yes I
was feeling sorry for myself. But after a day like that, I’m re-energized. I
may not get rich or famous, but that’s not why I write. I write for myself and
for the readers like these who love my stories!

Ava, what an awesome outcome for you! It's great you sold so many books (nine is a great number!) but even better, you've been reinvigorated. Just wonderful! Can I come with you next year? I'm kidding, sort of.